Problem L2.1
Predict the effects of a pancreatic tumor that secretes insulin. How would the effects change if the tumor secreted glucagon instead?
Problem L2.2
Females with hormone-secreting tumors of the adrenal cortex occasionally develop male secondary sex characteristics. Explain why this may happen.
Problem L2.3
A patient has a brain tumor that necessitates removal of his pituitary gland. Will its removal affect production of ADH and oxytocin? Explain.
Problem L3.A1
Ms. Reczkiewicz has her thyroid gland removed to treat hyperthyroidism. Her condition is stable after surgery, but one day later she develops symptoms of severe hypocalcemia. What has happened? How would you correct this problem?
Problem L3.A2
A new diet guru claims hypersecretion of cortisol is the reason why so many people are obese. He is marketing a dietary supplement that is supposedly able to block cortisol secretion and lead to weight loss. How would cortisol hypersecretion cause weight gain? Would blocking normal cortisol secretion lead to weight loss? Why or why not?
Problem L3.A3
Let's say that the dietary supplement in question 2 actually works and successfully blocks cortisol secretion. Could this drug potentially be harmful? Predict its effects on overall homeostasis.
Problem L3.A4
Mr. Montez is a patient with type I diabetes mellitus. He presents with dizziness, rapid breathing, confusion, and weakness. You find out that he forgot to inject his normal dose of insulin this morning. Will his blood glucose concentration be normal? Explain. Your colleague suggests that Mr. Montez needs to ingest some sugar. Is this going to help him? Why or why not?
Problem L3.B5
What has likely happened to the pH of Mr. Montez's blood? What does this mean about the hydrogen ion concentration in his blood? How will his buffer systems respond to this change in pH?
Problem L3.B6
You have read that aldosterone causes sodium ion retention from the kidneys. How would blocking aldosterone secretion decrease the amount of water retained from the fluid in the kidneys?
Problem 1a
Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
The cells of the nervous system communicate via action potentials, whereas the cells of the endocrine system communicate via hormones.
Problem 1b
Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
Autocrine signals affect the same cells that secrete them.
Ch. 16 The Endocrine System